The Committee is taking evidence on digital skills in relation to education and schools. This second session will examine the role of ICT and the computing curriculum, the STEAM [science, technology, engineering, art and maths] agenda, informal learning and the use of computing clubs, as well as the Computer Science degree.

On the final day of the Association of Colleges (AoC) annual conference, Paul McKean, head of further education and skills for Jisc, talks about his highlights over the past three days, the main themes that have emerged, and how Jisc can help support colleges going forward.

"...This does not mean the end of face-to-face learning, but hopefully a balanced blend of learning that’s more responsive to student and employer needs. This time, we are ready for a paradigm shift in how learning programmes are designed, delivered and assessed.

These area-based deliberations are set in a context of drastic cuts to the FE budget, so it’s important to remember that technology-enhanced blended learning is not a cheap option.

Any realignment of learning vision, leadership, culture, design, methodology, pedagogy and assessment may require upfront investment in infrastructure and human resources. But it has the potential to deliver long-term efficiencies by opening up opportunities to a greater number of learners – with a different paradigm for learning and a differently skilled workforce.

If we continue to mismatch inappropriate physical assets with inappropriate workforce skills, we are at risk of repeating earlier mistakes. If colleges are to avoid going the way of Comet and Woolworths, their leaders need to learn these lessons..."

My time as a student in Further Education (FE) was one of a handful of life changing experiences that I have been privileged to have. Prior to studying a vocational subject at a College of Further Education I had hated school, there was no space at school for me to pursue the subjects I was really passionate about and the only teachers which seemed to value the skills I had were those who lead the extra curricular activities I took part in. The overriding message at school was; "The only successful end to your school career is good A level grades and a place at University".Wel

These ‘Enhancing the digital student experience’ cards are designed to support conversations about students’ digital experience.

As someone who works with students and/or who enables digital change, you know that conversations are critical to making things happen. The cards can provide a prompt to start a conversation, or a tangible reminder you can leave behind.

JISC’s Annual Digifest offers a fantastic opportunity to connect with colleagues across FE and HE and share some great practice around Educational and Information Technologies. 2016’s event took place across on 2nd-3rd March at Birmingham’s ICC and was formed of keynotes, workshops, seminars and hands-on technology displays. I attended on behalf of Falmouth University alongside a colleague from FXPlus, the University’s Shared Service Provider...

Mobile learning has stalled, argues John Traxler, professor of digital learning at the University of Wolverhampton's Institute of Education. He challenges Digifest to examine what's happened and how can it get back on track.

During the recent Jisc Digital Leadership Programme, we looked at mapping our use of social networking tools using the concept of Visitors and Residents. We were lucky to have the influential Donna Lanclos and Dave White supporting us.

I like how the mapping exercise makes you consider how you are using various tools and what needs to happen to change that map, how do you become more resident when using a tool such as Twitter for example. Or how do you start using a tool which is currently not on your map, such as a professional blog?

17-18 November 2015, Bristol. The digital leaders programme aims to give leaders tools and ideas to help make best use of digital in both their own practice and in leading their teams, helping them to increase the digital capability of their organisation.

Anthony Beal's insight:

The story of the Digital Leaders FE and Skills Programme in photographs and tweets.

"This is my video diary documenting a mobile learning project in the Faculty of Science and Technology at the University of Westminster. In this first episode, I talk about using an ipad for the first time in class, and my experience of using padlet and nearpod apps."

Anthony Beal's insight:

A lecturer’s video diary on using mobile devices and apps in teaching, a personal experience of using the tools.

Is a key enabler of institutional digital capability one of access to digital devices? That was certainly one of the reasons that came out of a discussion we had at the Jisc Connect event in Wales back in July when I asked the question what are the barriers to digital capability. It certainly demonstrates that digital capability is a complex area with no simple quick answers.

Online diaries and calendars is just small aspect of digital life, but knowing where you are supposed to be, who you need to be with and what you are doing is at the core of being effective in your role. Those core digital capabilities, which includes using tools such as calendars and diaries, can be used as a catalyst for change, bringing efficiencies and effectiveness to an organisation. They should be the start of any digital capability enhancement journey.

The role of UK higher education (HE), further education (FE) and skills sectors in developing student employability is clear. Technology can be an enabler to the development and communication of employability skills, but are organisations and employers making best use of it?

Anthony Beal's insight:

Jisc webinar from April 2015 - resources include: the slides and a recording of the webinar.

Includes information on case studies, emerging themes to support practice and ideas for institutions to enhance practices

...we should be aiming to involve and actively engage with students in the lecture; to make our teaching connect with, and challenge, as many as possible in that room. PowerPoint isn’t a barrier to doing this. If we exploit it correctly, it breaks down the barriers. We shouldn’t blame the technology for deficiencies that are wholly human.

All 22 commissioned organisations have now uploaded their content and it’s available for you to use, re-use and re-purpose. We held a project conference at the end of April and explored how the content can be used not only in the vocational areas for which they were intended but also used for cross-cutting ‘employability’ areas such as Health & Safety, communication skills, problem solving and Maths and English. Watch this space for more on this!

Anthony Beal's insight:

All the materials are listed by the organisation that created them on the right of the screen.

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